What does the Bible say
about suffering? Scripture describes
creation as good and initially without sin (Gen. 1-2). When sin entered the world as a result of Eve
and Adam yielding to the temptation to act like God determining for themselves
what is good and evil, God responded to their explicit disobedience with suffering
and punishment (Genesis 3.1-19). In this
sin, all humanity has participated (Rom. 5.17).
Scripture also teaches that suffering will one day come to an end when
God brings final judgement to a sin-ridden world and restores a sinless world
(Revelation 21.3-4). This basic
narrative undergirds Biblical teaching on suffering. Suffering is ultimately due to sin, whether as
God’s punishment or by experiencing the results of sinful choices, living in a sinful
society, or, in general, in a fallen world.
Yet Scripture gives
more reasons for suffering, and a specific individual’s suffering cannot always
be related to his or her particular sin.
The following chart intends to show the great variety of reasons that
Scripture offers to explain suffering. All
too often some religious person speaks up in the face of a crisis—a hurricane, plague, etc.—to suggest that the cause of suffering is divine judgement for a specific
social practice. This may or may not be
so, but if it is not absolutely clear (as, for example, someone suffering
because of drugs), one should not make any such claim. Moreover, individuals need to be aware of the
variety of reasons in Scripture for suffering as they face personal suffering,
and they should be comforted in knowing that God is dealing with sin and
suffering. He has already acted decisively
through the work of Christ to address the human plight, and we can be assured
that we will one day see an end to sin and suffering. We indwell a true narrative of God’s redemption of
a sinful world.
Finally, despite the entrance of sin into God’s good creation, this cycle of sin, punishment, and God’s redemption reveals more about God than Adam and Eve would have known before their sin in the Garden of Eden. We learn of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love (Exodus 34.6-7). We learn of his forbearance of sin and of his willingness to send His only Son to die for our sins (John 3.16). The incarnation and death of Jesus on the cruel cross will restore us from the sin that causes suffering in this world and already reveals to us more of God. Indeed, it is God’s purpose to reveal Himself, His glory, in the world, and His glory is revealed in the cross of Christ. We also learn more about love—God’s love—which is not only forgiving but also suffering, redemptive, and transformative. In this light, consider the following causes of suffering and some representative Scripture passages for each one.
Finally, despite the entrance of sin into God’s good creation, this cycle of sin, punishment, and God’s redemption reveals more about God than Adam and Eve would have known before their sin in the Garden of Eden. We learn of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love (Exodus 34.6-7). We learn of his forbearance of sin and of his willingness to send His only Son to die for our sins (John 3.16). The incarnation and death of Jesus on the cruel cross will restore us from the sin that causes suffering in this world and already reveals to us more of God. Indeed, it is God’s purpose to reveal Himself, His glory, in the world, and His glory is revealed in the cross of Christ. We also learn more about love—God’s love—which is not only forgiving but also suffering, redemptive, and transformative. In this light, consider the following causes of suffering and some representative Scripture passages for each one.
Cause of Suffering
|
Scriptural Reflection
|
Divine Punishment for Sin
|
Gen. 1-11; 3.14-19; Num. 14.32-35 Deut. 27; Judges 10.15-16; 2 Sam.
12.1-23 and Ps. 51; 2 Chron. 6.22-39; Prophets (e.g., Jer. 30.14-15; Lam.
1.3-5); Psalm 38; 1 Cor. 11.29-30; 2 Cor. 2.10-11; Rom. 1.18-3.20; 12.1-2; 2
Th. 1.6-10
|
Divine Forbearance with Mercy and
Forgiveness Rather than Immediate Judgement
|
Exodus 34.6-7; Rom. 3.25
|
Human Punishment for doing Wrong
|
Gen. 9.5-6; Lev. 20; 24.19-20; Rom.
13.1-5; 1 Peter 4.15
|
Divine Testing
|
Exodus; Deuteronomy; Job; Matthew
4.1-11//Luke 4.1-13; Hebrews 2.18; 1 Peter 1.6-7
|
Divine Lessons
|
1 Cor. 5.5; 1 Tim. 1.20; 2 Cor. 12.7; Rom.
5.3-5; 12.12; Hebrews 2.10; 5.8
|
Glory to God through Suffering
|
John 9.2-3; 2 Cor. 12.9-10
|
Correction is Painful
|
2 Cor. 2.1-11; Gal. 4.19-20
|
Self-Inflicted Suffering
|
Prov. 22.13 and 27.12; 19.15; 21.17
|
Temptation by Evil/Satan
|
Gen. 3.1-19; James 1.12-15; 1 Cor. 7.5;
1 Tim. 5.14-15
|
Disordered Life (Selfishness, Own Appetites/Desires)
|
Isaiah 58.4-14; Rom. 16.18-20; 2 Thes.
2.9-12
|
Effects of Sin
|
Gen. 3.14-19; Rom. 1.18-28
|
Sinful World
|
Gen. 3-11; John 16.33; 1 Peter 2.19
|
Community Practices
|
Psalm 1; Prov. 1.10-19
|
Spiritual Warfare
|
Ph. 6.14-18; 1 Peter 5.8-9; Rev. 2.10
|
Evil People and Righteous Sufferer
|
Many lament psalms, such as Psalm 69; Isaiah
53; Phil. 1.17
|
Systemic Evil, Bad Leaders, and Harmful Community
Practices
|
Exodus 3.7-10; Ezek. 22.6-7; Zech.
10.2; Matthew 16.21
|
Idolatry
|
Deut. 29.17-27; 32.21-25; Ezekiel
16.35-63; Rom. 1.18-28
|
Imperfect World (disasters, injury, death)
|
Matthew 24.7c; Rom. 8.18-23.
|
Failure to Pray; Lack of faith
|
1 Sam. 9.16; James 4.2; 5.13; Matthew
17.14-20
|
Present and Future
|
John 16.20-22; James 5.7-11; 1 Peter
5.10; Rev. 6.10; 21.4
|
Being a Christian; suffering like Christ
(the righteous suffer in a sinful world) |
Acts 5.41; 9.16; 14.22; Rom. 8.17-18,
35-36; 12.12; 2 Cor. 6.4-10; 7.4-7; Phil. 1.29; 3.8, 10; Col. 1.24; 1 Th.
2.2, 14-15; 3.4; 2 Th. 1.5; 2 Tim. 1.8, 11-12; 2.3, 8-9; 3.12; 4.5; Hebrews
10.32-34; 11.24-26, 35-40; 1 Peter 2.18-25; 3.14-18; 4.1-2, 13-16, 19; Rev.
1.9; 2.9-10; 7.14
|
Suffering with Others
|
1 Cor. 12.26; 2 Cor. 1.5-7; Eph. 3.13
|
Suffering in the End Times
|
Matthew 24.21, 29; Revelation
|
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